Cat’s may have the overall problem of smelly breath. People also ask why my cat’s breath smells like cat food. Bad breath is also called halitosis. Only if the problem is a severe or chronic one, your cat’s breath will smell bad. No doubt, the breath smells like the cat food that your cat has just eaten.
It has been said by the experts that canned or some soft food items can cause this bad breath problem in cats. However, by eating the dry feed, your cat’s teeth become cleanse. Some breath smells indicate the internal problems in cat-like citrus or sweet smell, or like ammonia cat’s breath.
There can be different reasons behind the smelly cat’s breath. This may be due to the foodstuff, any infection, or a severe condition. For instance, due to liver cancer or diabetes. So, any internal disease can also cause the cat’s breath smell.
5 Reasons Why My Cat’s Breath Smells Like Cat Food
We know well that will suffer once or more with this problem of bad breath. Same as with our feline friend. Well, we do have a morning routine to brush our teeth that resolve the problem of smelly breath. However, the cat’s smelly breath signifies some oral as well as systematic medical problems.
1) My Cat’s Breath Smells Like Cat Food – Diet Issues:
Do people mostly ask why my cat’s breath smells like cat food? Some dietary problems can lead to bad breath among cats. If your cat is eating liver-based feed or fish meat then a bad smell may develop. If your cat is habitual to chew the surrounding stuff e.g., rubber bands. Do you know the reasons why your cat is ticklish?
This will result in lodging the particles inside the mouth. To rectify this problem, make sure the surroundings of the cat are free from such chewing stuff and cleanse the teeth with a brush. Have you ever heard about a cat eating Cheetos?
2) My Cat’s Breath Smells Like Cat Food – Oral Issues:
International Cat care has revealed that about 85% of cats suffer from some dental problems and this is not surprising anyway. The term gingival tissue is used for the cat’s teeth and gums as well. Naturally, bacteria are present on that tissue. Such bacteria or germs multiply more and more if you do not brush your teeth to clean. Otherwise, a film of bacterial plaque will develop on the teeth.
Gradually this film becomes hard by deposition of minerals already present in cat’s saliva and turns into tartar. After your cat has eaten the food, the leftover particles in the cat’s mouth will break down by these bacteria. And in a result, they produce the compounds that make your cat’s breath smelly.
“My cat’s breath smells like cat food”, this is a very annoying problem though. Additionally, this bad breath causing bacteria can also travel to the other organs through the bloodstream. Other organs like the heart and kidney may get affected by such bacteria resulting in some serious diseases among your cats.
On the other way, the tartar causes gum pain and weakens them. This causes the loosening of teeth’s root. Consequently, your cats’ teeth will fall out and lead your kitten or feline friend to have a stinky mouth.
Some times due to chewing objects other than food like bugs they capture to eat may cause oral trauma or any injury. Moreover, cats are known to vomit frequently. So, you must cleanse out the mouth after this.
Imagine, if you do not cleanse the mouth after the long- or short-term sickness, how bad smell your mouth will develop. In this way, you may realize “why my cat’s breath smells like cat food?
More oral problems that cause bad breath among cats include abscesses due to dead teeth, any tumor in the mouth, or inflammation in gums.
3) My Cat’s Breath Smells Like A Cat Food – Systemic Problems:
Your cat’s bad breath can not be only due to the diet or some oral reasons. This bad breath may be due to certain systemic problems. So, there is a need for proper treatment for sound health and to stop bad breath.
The first systemic problem is kidney disease. The cat may be suffering from chronic kidney diseases. Out of three cats, one is most probably having this kidney disease according to health network for pets.
Due to the lack of the kidney’s proper function, the waste products like ammonia and urea get deposited in the bloodstream. This is why your cat’s breath smells like ammonia or urine.
Thus, if your cat is having discontinuous bad breath then it is an alarming condition, mostly in adult cats. As the kidney is no more capable of detoxification so the blood holds toxins. The best way to get rid of this situation is to contact the vet.
The second systemic problem is diabetes mellitus. In diabetes mellitus, the pancreas is involved. Certain cells of the pancreas become fail to work properly and unable to regulate the sugar level in the blood. If your cat’s breath smells like a fruity aroma then he or she is suffering from ketoacidosis that happens in diabetes. And this condition is life-threatening.
The gastrointestinal trouble is also a systemic problem that is causing the cat’s bad breath problem. In this case, your cat’s breath may smell like feces. Due to the bowel obstruction, your cat will be vomiting continuously. This is a medical emergency condition and must contact a professional vet.
Here you can understand that bad breath is a very inconvenient and frivolous smell. Among humans, bad breath is just due to short standing issues due to some garlic food or non-serious behavior. While in cats it is a very serious and longstanding issue.
As you can see, bad breath in cats is anything but a frivolous and smelly inconvenience. However, there are many solutions mentioned to get rid of the cat’s bad breath.
My Cat’s Breath Smells Like a Cat Food – How to Get Rid of It?
Following are some ways to stop the cats’ bad breath.
1) Brush the Cat’s Teeth:
To minimize the cat’s bad breath, use a toothbrush to cleanse out the teeth. Teeth brushing is the perfect way to remove any plaque formation and tartar. By reducing the tartar and plaque, a cat’s breath will be freshening up. Brush the teeth daily to get good results. Although it seems impossible to brush a cat’s teeth daily. But you can brush 3 or 4 times a week. Try to brush your cat’s teeth when he or she is in a relaxed mood.
A specifically designed toothbrush is available for cats. Kids’ toothbrush can also be used or any finger brush. You will find it easily in any pet store. Also keep in mind that, use cat-specific toothpaste not the one for a human. Because human toothpaste is flavored that can worsen the cat’s breath more.
The sweeteners and fluorides in human toothpaste can affect your cat badly because cats are unable to spit out like us. Cat’s do not love mint so keep the toothpaste that is unflavored, tasteless, and odorless as well.
2) Cat Water to Snip Out Bad Breath:
Cat water can keep bad breath away. For many of us, a mouth wash is the best way to get rid of the bad smell when we are not willing to brush our teeth. You have to add this to a bowl of water. Use the water additive for cats that are specifically for animals. Get some recommendations from your vet as well.
This dental water additive is a very easy way to freshen the cats’ breath and to remove the plaque formation. Here again, you have to make sure that the water additive is tasteless and odorless.
3) Dental Treats for Cats:
Such dental treats can be chewable toys specifically designed for cats to make their breath fresh. If you are worried that “my cat’s breath smells like a cat food?”, freshen up their breaths with some dental treats.
Such chewing toys are known to remove the tartar or plaques in pets. All cats are not similar though, but you can do this harmless experiment to notice if there is any benefit for your cat or not.
Always pick the low carbs cat treats. Search out the reliable plaque fighting treats for your cat. Make sure the stuff is registered from VOHC (Veterinary oral health council).
Another simple and natural way to clean your cat’s teeth is raw bone. The raw bones hold a bunch of enzymes that can fight plaque formation. Avoid giving the cooked bone to your cat, because this can result in a choking hazard.
Such treats and toys are just meant for supplements for dental care. On other hand, you may contact the vet for some recommendations.
4) A Diet Plan to Stop the Bad Breath:
People assume that canned food or raw stuff can cause bad breath problems among cats instead of giving them the dry items. But this somehow wrong. The notable thing is to feed some quality food to your cat.
Always choose the diet that is high in protein along with meat. Also, add enough water to prevent any dehydration issues. Because if your cat’s mouth is dried then it may be the cause of bad breath.
Sometimes, cats may be allergic to a suddenly changed cat food brand and thus cause bad breath in them. If you are worried about what to feed your cat then you can try giving them pancakes or marshmallows, they may serve as a healthy diet for your cat.
5) Visit the Experienced Vet:
The most recommended way is to visit the vet to know about the real cause of bad breath in your cat and what to do to prevent it. So, if there is any serious issue like liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or any tumor problem, can be treated in the very early stages.
Conclusion:
Why my cat’s breath smells like cat food? And how much time does it take to end? In conclusion, there are various reasons for such breath as mentioned before. The second query is completely dependent on the severity of the problem. If the reason is just related to oral health, the cat will be recovered soon. However, in case of any serious illness, like any tumor or liver inefficiency problems, recovery time will be a bit longer.
Henceforth, take notice of all these considerations to keep your cat or cat healthy and avoid bad breath problems as soon as possible.